LOCATION
Pittsburgh
With two decades of progressive public policy, Pittsburgh has become a modes of Rust-Belt reinvention. Today the Steel City is a metropolitan destination for companies centered around clean technology, sustainability, medicine, education, and culture. The overabundance of technical and creative talent is enabling Pittsburgh to incubate start-ups that innovate at the intersection of art and technology. For more on the city of Pittsburgh, visit here.
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is an institutional leader for cutting-edge advances in computing, robotics, and the arts. The university is situated amidst a vibrant cultural scene in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, with museums, galleries, parks, historical sites, and ethnic restaurants and shops within walking distance. Visit Carnegie Mellon University here.
Getting to campus from Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
- Cabs cost $50 or more. The ride is about 20-40 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Supershuttle costs $27.35 one-way and will take you directly to your hotel.
- Pittsburgh’s city bus service runs an airport express line (the 28X “airport flyer” route) that stops directly at CMU and near many of the hotels in CMU’s neighborhood, Oakland. The 28X bus takes about 50-60 minutes and costs $3.25 (cash only); CMU is the last stop. Here’s the 28X schedule (PDF).
Taking a bus to Pittsburgh from out-of-town
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to flying, Megabus has service to Pittsburgh from several cities in New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as Washington DC and Toronto. The buses have power outlets and free wi-fi.
Driving and parking at Carnegie Mellon
The conference will be held in Baker Hall and the College of Fine Arts building (CFA) located on Frew Street at the rear of campus (here’s a campus map). The metered parking spots along Frew Street are expensive — we suggest parking in the East Campus Garage instead. The garage is free on the weekends and cost $10 for all-day parking on weekdays. For full details, see the driving directions and parking rates and locations on Carnegie Mellon’s website.
Hotels / Accommodation
Here are some hotels within walking distance of Carnegie Mellon:
NEWS:::: ACCOMMODATION IN PGH: we have blocked 30 rooms at the Holiday Inn, University Center in Pittsburgh. The reduced rate of approx 130$ per room is available until January 31st. Please contact us to receive the code for the reduced rate. info@encodingarchitecture.org
A nice and easy way in private accomodation is AirBnB.
The Inn on Negley
703, South Negley Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, Tel: 412-661-0631
Wyndham Pittsburgh University Place
3454 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Tel: 412-683-2040
Quality Inn University Center
3401 Blvd of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Tel: 412-683-6100
Hampton Inn Pittsburgh – University Center
3315 Hamlet St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Tel: 412-681-1000
Marriott Courtyard Pittsburgh Shadyside
5308 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, Tel: 412-683-3113
Getting around by bus or cab
- Carnegie Mellon is on several major bus routes. Fares range from $2.25 to $3.25. Here’s a bus trip planner.
- Cabs are easily sourced at the airport, but we don’t recommend them for getting around the city otherwise. Call in advance and be prepared to wait, and wait, and wait. Still interested? Here’s the number for Yellow Cab: (412) 321-8100.
Bars and restaurants near campus
- Ali Baba (404 S. Craig St.) – Middle Eastern food
- Chipotle (3619 Forbes) – Burritos
- Crepes Parisienne (207 S. Craig St.) – Sweet and/or savory crepes
- Eat Unique (305 S. Craig St.) – Cafe and sandwiches
- The Bagel Factory (420 S. Craig St. @ Forbes) – Coffeehouse
- Lucca Ristorante (317 S. Craig St.) – Upscale Italian
- Lulu’s Noodles/Yum Wok (400 S. Craig St.) – Pan-Asian
- Orient Express (4609 Forbes) – Metropolitan Chinese
- Panther Hollow Inn (4611 Forbes) – Neighborhood bar serving pizza, gyros and sandwiches (open late)
- Primanti Bros. (3803 Forbes) – “Pittsburgh-style” sandwiches with fries and coleslaw on the inside (open late)
- Star of India (412 S. Craig St.) – Indian
- Starbucks (417 S. Craig St. @ Forbes) – Coffeehouse
- Union Grill (413 S. Craig St.) – Casual bistro with salads, burgers, seafood, full bar (open late)
Activities and shopping within walking distance of campus
- Carnegie Museum of Art – Founded in 1895 by Andrew Carnegie, the museum is renowned for its collections, including the Hall of Architecture.
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History – Adjacent to the art museum, this facility is home to one of the world’s largest collections of dinosaur bones, along with the dazzling Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems.
- Phipps Conservatory – Located just behind campus, this stately greenhouse is home to formal gardens, exotics and rare plant species, and even a tropical rainforest. A must-see for the computational designer inspired by natural forms.
- South Craig Street, two blocks from campus and across the street from the museums, has many restaurants, cafes, bookstores and specialty boutiques.
